A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Thursday at 4:21 a.m. for dense fog until 8:15 a.m. for the Western Slope.
“Patchy dense fog is possible along the I-70 Corridor from Silt CO west to Green River, UT and in the Uncompahgre valleyfrom Montrose north through Delta County to the Grand Valley. . The patchy fog is expected to last through 8 a.m. this morning,” says the NWS.
Locations impacted by the alert include Grand Junction, Montrose, Fruita, Rifle, Delta, Orchard City, Palisade, Cedaredge, Olathe, Paonia, Parachute, Hotchkiss, De Beque, Crawford, Battlement Mesa, Cameo, Arches National Park, Austin, Maher and Bowie. This includes the following highways: Interstate 70 in Colorado between mile markers 1 and 95. Interstate 70 in Utah between mile markers 185 and 231. U.S. Highway 50 in Colorado between mile markers 32 and 106. Colorado 13 between mile markers 1 and 3. Colorado 139 between mile markers 1 and 10. visibilities are below one half mile in the fog. If you are driving, slow down and be on alert for other motorists. Low visibility shortens the amount of time you have to react to situations.
The full list of affected locations includes:
• Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus
• Grand Valley
• Debeque to Silt Corridor
• Grand and Battlement Mesas
• Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin
• West Elk and Sawatch Mountains
• Upper Gunnison River Valley
• Uncompahgre Plateau/Dallas Divide
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Moderate your speed:
• Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility priority:
• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.
Avoid high-beams:
• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Maintain safe gaps:
• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Stay in your lane:
• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
No parking options:
• If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service